Is Mold Lurking in Your Home | SERVPRO® of The Lower Shore

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Is Mold Lurking in Your Home? | SERVPRO® of The Lower Shore

What are the factors that tend to allow mold to grow in your residence? Moisture, temperature, light, airflow and materials that mold can “consume” are the main reasons why mold will generate. When mold is allowed to fester (especially when it is hidden from sight), the spores will usually multiply rapidly. One of the most reliable ways to detect locations where mold may be susceptible to growth is by the use of a moisture meter. At SERVPRO®, we are able to utilize technology to help locate moisture in a variety of materials in your home quickly and with minimal invasion of the material itself.

As we start looking forward to the prospects of warmer weather with the usual spring-cleaning and home projects about to start up again, we at SERVPRO® would like to remind everyone to be diligent in reviewing the many different areas of their home. Homeowners should be extremely mindful of the unconditioned spaces such as attics and basements that may have been exposed to humid conditions where mold grows. As you enter these locations, be on the lookout for some of the most common areas of concern.

• Window sills where warm and cool air meet
• Washing machines, specifically around the valve box (where the shut off valves are) and the door gasket area on front loading machines
• Appliance drip pans, like those found on refrigerators and deep freezer units where there is limited air circulation
• Attics & basements where leaks often occur unnoticed for long periods of time and where the air is possibly stagnant due to lack of venting
• Central Air or A/C units with leaky condensation lines and drip pans that are not draining properly
• Carpets, padding, or any other type of flooring material that absorbed large spills or water over flows and were not properly mitigated
• Bathrooms, specifically the drywall around vanities, toilets and showers that have gotten wet or those that have a lack of proper ventilation due to a poorly operating or clogged exhaust fan

If you suspect or find mold in your home, contact SERVPRO® of The Lower Shore to assist with your remediation needs at 410-749-2221.

What to do when you spot mold

2/21/2019 (Permalink)

If you have mold in your property call SERVPRO of The Lower Shore.

When mold is first visible,do not disturb it. Mold can spread throughout your property and become airborne due to it releasing microscopic spores. 

Here are things that you can do:

• Stay away from all affected area until a professional has scoped out your property.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans in all areas.
• Contact SERVPRO to come a re mediate your mold.

Here are things you should not do:

• Do not spray bleach or any other solutions on affected areas before SERVPRO takes a look at your mold.
• Do not turn air or fans on because it will circulate the spores onto your contents and areas that aren't affected.
• Do not touch or disturb the mold.

To get more information and become more knowledgeable about what to do and what needs to be done for your mold, please call SERVPRO today! 410-749-2221

Got Mold? Better call SERVPRO today!

2/7/2019 (Permalink)

Mold remediation is one of our primary areas of expertise here at SERVPRO^® of The Lower Shore. We have the training and experience to contain the infestation, scrub health-threatening spores out of the air, remove the contaminated materials, and help prevent future microbial growth.

A Moldy Situation

Imagine you were cleaning out a storage closet at work, and you found mold growing on the back wall. Most likely this year, an ice damsupplied the water that created an ideal situation for microbes to grow in this closet. Once you identified and resolved the source of the leak, you would still want to contact a professional to mitigate the mold and ensure healthy air for your employees and customers to breathe.

Containing the Infestation

When SERVPRO^® franchise professionals begin a mold job, our first concern is to contain the mold infestation. The mold you can see is only a small part of the danger posed to building occupants. Mold reproduces by releasing invisible spores into the air. These spores pose the real hazard for those who breathe the air in the infested building. Therefore, we begin by preventing air from the contaminated area traveling to other parts of the building.

Scrubbing Mold Out of the Air

Each job is unique in its challenges and solutions. However, in most cases, a SERVPRO^® mold mitigation team will set up a containment barrier and create a “negative air” situation inside the infested area. A “negative air” situation is essentially a vacuum that ensures air only flows into and not out of the contained area while the air scrubbers filter the spores and other contaminants from the air.

Removing Contaminated Materials

Organic materials like drywall, carpeting, and ceiling tiles must be removed and discarded once they become contaminated with mold. This is why we encourage people to contact us immediately after a water loss to dry all the materials before microbial growth begins. Blowing a fan across moldy materials hoping to dry them and save them spreads mold spores in the air and increases the health risk to building occupants.  

Inhibiting Future Growth

SERVPRO^® franchise professionals can never promise to prevent all future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere in the atmosphere, and they take root and thrive whenever they find the perfect mix of moisture, food (organic materials) and temperature. However, our team does have several products that discourage microbial growth. Once your moldy materials have been removed and the air has been scrubbed to reduce the concentration of spores, we can apply one of these anti-microbial agents to help protect your building’s structural elements.

Call SERVPRO^® for Mold ASAP

When you see mold, remember you cannot see the biggest threat that mold presents. Contact our Salisbury, MD mold remediation team at 410-749-2221 for a free estimate and good advice about protecting yourself and other building occupants until the mold is removed and the air is clean again. 

Does Your Wicomico, Somerset or Worcester Home Have A Mold Problem?

11/11/2016 (Permalink)

mold

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

·         Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

·         Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

·         Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

·         Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

·         Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

·         Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 410-749-2221

Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

11/11/2016 (Permalink)

Mold

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

·         Stay out of affected areas.

·         Turn off the HVAC system and fans.

·         Contact SERVPRO of the Lower Shore for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

·         Don’t touch or disturb the mold.

·         Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.

·         Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.

·         Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of the Lower Shore specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 410-749-2221

Got Mold in Salisbury? Better call SERVPRO

10/5/2016 (Permalink)

Mold thrives under the right conditions in Wicomico, Worchester and Somerset Counties.

Mold remediation is one of our primary areas of expertise here at SERVPRO^® of the Lower Shore. We have the training and experience to contain the infestation, scrub health-threatening spores out of the air, remove the contaminated materials, and help prevent future microbial growth.

A Moldy Situation

Imagine you were cleaning out a storage closet at work, and you found mold growing on the back wall. Most likely this year, an ice dam supplied the water that created an ideal situation for microbes to grow in this closet. Once you identified and resolved the source of the leak, you would still want to contact a professional to mitigate the mold and ensure healthy air for your employees and customers to breathe.

Containing the Infestation

When SERVPRO^® franchise professionals begin a mold job, our first concern is to contain the mold infestation. The mold you can see is only a small part of the danger posed to building occupants. Mold reproduces by releasing invisible spores into the air. These spores pose the real hazard for those who breathe the air in the infested building. Therefore, we begin by preventing air from the contaminated area traveling to other parts of the building.

Scrubbing Mold Out of the Air

Each job is unique in its challenges and solutions. However, in most cases, a SERVPRO^® mold mitigation team will set up a containment barrier and create a “negative air” situation inside the infested area. A “negative air” situation is essentially a vacuum that ensures air only flows into and not out of the contained area while the air scrubbers filter the spores and other contaminants from the air.

Removing Contaminated Materials

Organic materials like drywall, carpeting, and ceiling tiles must be removed and discarded once they become contaminated with mold. This is why we encourage people to contact us immediately after a water loss to dry all the materials before microbial growth begins. Blowing a fan across moldy materials hoping to dry them and save them spreads mold spores in the air and increases the health risk to building occupants.  

Inhibiting Future Growth

SERVPRO^® franchise professionals can never promise to prevent all future mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere in the atmosphere, and they take root and thrive whenever they find the perfect mix of moisture, food (organic materials) and temperature. However, our team does have several products that discourage microbial growth. Once your moldy materials have been removed and the air has been scrubbed to reduce the concentration of spores, we can apply one of these anti-microbial agents to help protect your building’s structural elements.

Call SERVPRO^® for Mold ASAP

When you see mold, remember you cannot see the biggest threat that mold presents. Contact our Salisbury, MD mold remediation team at 410-749-2221 for a free estimate and good advice about protecting yourself and other building occupants until the mold is removed and the air is clean again. 

Does Your Wicomico County Home Have A Mold Problem?

7/15/2016 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 410-749-2221